Ringo was a 'big shot' before Beatles

By Rich Chamberlain
published

Beatles lucky to snare sticksman

Ringo

Ringo

© Jacques Haillot/Sygma/Corbis

Ringo Starr has said that he was a big shot before joining up with The Beatles and the Fab Four were lucky to find him.

Starr told the Daily Mail's Live magazine that in the early '60s he and his band, Rory and the Hurricanes, were better known in Liverpool than The Beatles.

He added: "Rory And The Hurricanes were big shots in the city. We had suits. That was our claim to fame. They were lucky to get me. It wasn't just that I was a big shot, I was a cool drummer."

Big shot or not, Starr is back in the UK with his All Starr band next month. Joining Ringo behind the tubs will be Gregg Bissonette.

Rich Chamberlain
Rich Chamberlain

Rich is a teacher, one time Rhythm staff writer and experienced freelance journalist who has interviewed countless revered musicians, engineers, producers and stars for the our world-leading music making portfolio, including such titles as Rhythm, Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, and MusicRadar. His victims include such luminaries as Ice T, Mark Guilani and Jamie Oliver (the drumming one).